Mailing List Archive

[PATCH 2/3] HACKING: Add 'Objectives', 'Governance', and an initial 'Code of Conduct'
---
HACKING.md | 110 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 file changed, 110 insertions(+)

diff --git a/HACKING.md b/HACKING.md
index c898d96..0b96ce8 100644
--- a/HACKING.md
+++ b/HACKING.md
@@ -17,6 +17,116 @@ include-before:

\newpage

+OBJECTIVES {#sec:goals}
+==========
+
+The objectives of the Quagga project are to develop and implement high
+quality routing protocols and related software, maximising:
+
+* Free software:
+ * Quagga is and will remain a copyleft, free software project
+ * Some non-core parts may be available under compatible, permissive
+ licenses to facilitate code sharing, where contributors agree.
+ * The test and integration orchestration infrastructure shall be free
+ software, developed similarly to the rest of Quagga. Proprietary
+ conformance suites may be among the test tools orchestrated.
+* Openness and transparency
+ * The business of the project shall be conducted on its public email
+ lists, to the greatest extent possible.
+ * The design of the software will be governed by open discussion on
+ the public email lists.
+ * Participants shall endeavour to be transparent about their interests
+ in the project, and any associations likely to be relevant.
+* Ethical behaviour:
+ * The licenses of all copyright holders will be respected, and the
+ project will err in their favour where there is reasonable doubt or
+ legal advice to that effect.
+ * Participants will behave with respect for others, and in a manner that
+ builds and maintains the trust needed for productive collaboration.
+
+See also the Section on [CODE OF CONDUCT](#sec:codeconduct).
+
+Governance {#sec:governance}
+==========
+
+The governance of Quagga is currently in flux.
+
+Quagga was forked from GNU Zebra by Paul Jakma, who holds the domain name.
+Governance was soon devolved to a collective group, the maintainers.
+
+Governance at this moment is again fully in the hands of Paul Jakma, to be
+recast.
+
+Holding of project assets
+-------------------------
+
+One or more mature, independent trustees, with technical and free software
+experience, will be appointed as the executor(s) for key assets of the
+project to ensure continuity, such as the domain name.
+
+Should a corporate vehicle ever be created to hold such assets it __must__:
+
+* Publish up to date accounts on a regular business.
+* Generally operate openly and transparently.
+* Have control distributed, with a significant degree of control held
+ independent of any contributors with business interests in the software.
+* Carry out no other business itself that may be seen to conflict or compete
+ with the business of others in the community.
+* Have all officers disclose all interests that could be
+ seen to have a bearing on the project, as far as is reasonable.
+
+It not clear at this time that the overheads and potential liabilities of
+such a vehicle would be appropriate for this project. These principles
+should though still be applied, where possible, to any non-corporate body
+formed around the project.
+
+CODE OF CONDUCT {#sec:codeconduct}
+===============
+
+Participants will treat each other with respect and integrity. Participants
+will build and treasure the trust that is required for parties to
+successfully collaborate together on free software. Particularly when those
+parties may have competing interests. The following principles and
+guidelines should be followed to foster that trust:
+
+* Participants should be open about their goals, and their interests.
+ - Business associations with other participants should be disclosed,
+ so far as is reasonable and where applicable. E.g., if there is voting
+ on matters, or in endorsements or objections to contributions.
+ - Other associations and interests that may be relevant should be
+ disclosed, to the degree necessary to avoid any perception
+ by others of conflicts of interests or of deception.
+ - Be open about your goals, so as to maximise the common understanding
+ and minimise any misunderstandings and disputes.
+* Design should be done in the open
+ - Do your design on list, ahead of significant implementation. Avoid
+ "Surprise!" development where possible.
+ - Where significant implementation work must be done behind closed
+ doors, accept that you may be asked to rework it, potentially from
+ scratch once you take it public.
+ - Get "buy in" from others ahead of time, to avoid disappointment.
+* Interaction
+ - Feedback on design should be constructive, thoughtful and
+ understanding.
+ - Avoid personalising matters. Discuss the idea, the code, the abstract
+ subject and avoid unnecessary personal pronouns.
+ - Avoid language that paints either party into a corner. Leave some room
+ for doubt. Ask questions, rather than make assertions, where possible.
+* Disputes should be resolved through calm, analytic discussion
+ - Separate out as much of the matter under dispute into principles that
+ can be agreed on, and into the objective domain (by measurement or
+ logic).
+ - Seek ways to resolve any remaining subjective differences by alternate
+ paths that can accommodate both sides, e.g., through abstraction or
+ modularisation.
+ - Aim for Win-Win.
+* Respect others
+ - Avoid passive-aggressive behaviours. E.g., tit-for-tat
+ non-constructive behaviour. Be explicit.
+ - It is acceptable for management to allocate resources on development
+ according to their need. It is not acceptable to try use external,
+ management intervention to over-turn positions held by participants.
+
REQUIRED READING {#sec:required}
================

--
2.7.4


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Re: [PATCH 2/3] HACKING: Add 'Objectives', 'Governance', and an initial 'Code of Conduct' [ In reply to ]
On Thu, 12 Jan 2017, Paul Jakma wrote:

> +Governance {#sec:governance}
> +==========
> +
> +The governance of Quagga is currently in flux.
> +
> +Quagga was forked from GNU Zebra by Paul Jakma, who holds the domain name.
> +Governance was soon devolved to a collective group, the maintainers.
> +
> +Governance at this moment is again fully in the hands of Paul Jakma, to be
> +recast.
> +
> +Holding of project assets
> +-------------------------
> +
> +One or more mature, independent trustees, with technical and free software
> +experience, will be appointed as the executor(s) for key assets of the
> +project to ensure continuity, such as the domain name.
> +
> +Should a corporate vehicle ever be created to hold such assets it __must__:
> +
> +* Publish up to date accounts on a regular business.
> +* Generally operate openly and transparently.
> +* Have control distributed, with a significant degree of control held
> + independent of any contributors with business interests in the software.
> +* Carry out no other business itself that may be seen to conflict or compete
> + with the business of others in the community.
> +* Have all officers disclose all interests that could be
> + seen to have a bearing on the project, as far as is reasonable.
> +
> +It not clear at this time that the overheads and potential liabilities of
> +such a vehicle would be appropriate for this project. These principles
> +should though still be applied, where possible, to any non-corporate body
> +formed around the project.

Oh, others in the past (before the lovely manoeuvrings of '15/'16) have
made a good case for SFConservancy.org. Though:

a) It doesn't avoid having to sort out project side governance, to
interface with SFConservancy.

b) One other issue I had was that any long-term assets (e.g. domain
names) would end up stuck under US law pretty much forever more. I
would probably prefer a more local jurisdiction.

I read recently of a UK CIC (a type of UK corporate body required to act
in the public-interest) with similar aims to SFConservancy:

https://publicsoftware.eu/

(via:
https://lwn.net/SubscriberLink/713073/fd6db0a111ab8b7e/
/ https://lwn.net/Articles/713073/ )

Maybe an option. Assuming a community rebuilds again anyway...

regards,
--
Paul Jakma | paul@jakma.org | @pjakma | Key ID: 0xD86BF79464A2FF6A
Fortune:
Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself.
-- A.H. Weiler

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